       |
Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) 28 inches long, wingspan 69 inches Ungainly on the ground, these birds are very beautiful in flight, soaring and gliding without much wing movement at all. Often four or five will be seen in the sky circling over a feeding site. See also black vulture.
Turkey vulture in flight, USFWS photo by Lee Karney Turkey vultures are very large (28-30") scavengers.
Photo above: National Park Service, Organ Pipe Cactus N.M.
Vulture in Flight |
|||
Known as "buzzards" in the Old West, these birds are dark brown or black with bare purplish-red skin around the head and neck. A strong, hooked, yellow beak helps in consuming their primary food which consists of dead animals. Their weak talons are not well suited for grappling with live prey. These birds are often seen on country roads where they quickly clean up the carcasses of rabbits, hares and other small animals that have been killed by automobiles. Vultures do not build nests, but lay their eggs in a sheltered spot; cliff ledge or cave, hollow log, or abandoned building, Flocks often roost together at night.
